tributes
Posted by Alice on Jun 7, 2008
I am so sorry for your loss i was watching the news when i saw him my heart goes out to you. x x x x
Posted by Louis Read on Jun 7, 2008
Hello, i have just watched the three news and i saw your beautiful son Trent. I feel very sorry for you guys and my heart goes out to you all. From Louis Read
Posted by Deb Ward on Jun 7, 2008
So sorry to hear of your great loss, my heart go's out to you all.
Posted by Brian on Jun 7, 2008
Trent, I now have to say goodbye, it has been so hard dealing with the fact that one of the most honest people that I have ever met in this world has left it. But in saying that in your passing you have rocked the world. I can vouch for that by looking at the amount of people that have visited your website over the last week there is not one Country that has not visited the site. I have had a lot of people have said how good a site it is but the only reason it is a good site is the content, that is the way we designed it and the content is amazing both the photos and the tributes. It just shows me what I already knew that someone like you would touch so many people by just being you. We all over the world will miss you. But I know there is sunshine and smiles where you are now
Posted by Emma Jane Joyce on Jun 6, 2008
It was with great shock and sadness that my husband & I heard of Trent's death in Kenya last week. While we only met him for a day at our wedding he made such an impression on us, our families & friends. I remember feeling that his warm and relaxed manner brought out the best in people...keeping me calm that morning, keeping the guests relaxed and laughing during the reception...and I was told afterwards that he was crawling around the aisle behind us in the church getting shots of the congregation! Two things that I especially remember are that when the ceremony & church photos were over i suddenly felt weak and he whipped out his lunch box and gave me his banana and later that evening after taking some photos when the rain finally stopped he gave me his jacket. Mum & Dad went to the memorial in Salthill during the week and said that he was described as the type of man who would take off his jacket and give it to you..well I have a great photo on my wall of my husband & I laughing, champagne in hand and me wearing Trents jacket over my wedding dress. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family & friends at this difficult time.
Posted by Evelyn Mannion on Jun 6, 2008
It is hard to believe that a person so full of life and energy can be gone. I only met him a handful of times but it didn't take long to see what a super guy he was. He always greeted everyone with a big hug and kiss. He has been a dear friend and great support to many members of my family and he will be sadly missed. My deepest sympathies to Trent's family and friends. x x
Posted by Brian MacCormaic, and the students, teachers and staff at Emanyatta Maasai Secondary School, Ololosokwan, Tanzania on Jun 6, 2008
To the parents and sister of Trent Keegan. We wish to convey our heartfelt sadness at the loss of your dear son and brother, and our friend and colleague, Trent. In the short time we knew Trent, we had become very close to him, and valued his generosity of spirit, and kindness to all who met him. He could empathise with the people of Africa in a very special way, and was alwys ready to assist in whatever way he could to alleviate the poverty and suffering he witnessed in his work. Trent came to stay with us in Emanyatta Maasai Secondary School in Ololosokwan, Tanzania, where he was extremely popular with both staff and students. They are now finding it very hard to come to terms with his passing and have asked us to convey their condolences to his family. Trent remained at the school until Saturday 24th May (only four short days before his death). As he left for Nairobi though, he promised to return soon. However, fate had different plans, and although his body has now returned to rest in his native New Zealand, he will remain forever with us in Tanzania and at our school - forever in our hearts and in the beautiful memories we hold of his brief but eventful stay with us.
Posted by Kat on Jun 6, 2008
To the Keegan family and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing Trent. It was quite a shock to read of his death just now as I logged into Lightstalkers -- in fact I got chills -- and I want to offer my condolences to anyone whose heart is aching in his absence. As journalists, we all understand the risks and dangers of assignments we take, and his untimely death was needless and a reminder of just how precious life is. I'll keep you in my prayers. Kat, Athens, Greece/California, USA
Posted by Siobhan Cunningham on Jun 6, 2008
Dear Keegan Family, I met your lovely son, Trent, in 2002 when I got my wedding photos taken by Peter Harkin. Whenever I called to the studio to make arrangements I usually dealt with Trent and he always met me with a smile and a warm, friendly manner. After we got married we organised to have a family photo taken with our then 3-year-old son. We were lucky enough to get Trent to take it. Our son is very quiet and introverted and does not enjoy having his photo taken but, amazingly, Trent, because of his warm manner, energy and humour got a huge smile out of him and we now have a fabulous portrait of our son from that time. Trent was so full of energy and enthusiasm and had a beautiful open and warm quality which is too rare in the world. I last met him sometime last summer and told him I would be in touch to get him to take another family portrait to include our daughter. Unfortunately, I never got around to doing that which I now sorely regret. I was so, so sad and shocked to hear about his death as there was something very special about him and he is a big loss to the world. I wish you strength in your difficult journey through grief. Your son will be remembered warmly by a lot of people in Galway and we will always look at the portraits he took of our family and be reminded of the lovely, blue-eyed gentleman from New Zealand. Best wishes and prayers, Siobhan Cunningham, Galway, Ireland
Posted by Shane Ross, Devon, United Kingdom. on Jun 6, 2008
Mike, Trish and Nicola, it may have been many years since I last saw Trent in person, but I have many very vivid memories of Trent in his early years of growing up in New Plymouth, when our respective families shared alot of time socialising and holidaying together. One only has to read the masses of tributes, from people all over the world, to realise that Trent was a man that touched the hearts and souls of those he met- of that, you can be immensely proud of the son and brother he was! My heart and Love goes out to you at this time, but take the comfort of knowing that you will meet again, on this great journey of life. Love and Light Shane Ross.
Posted by Debbie Monroe on Jun 6, 2008
Rest in Peace Trent.
Posted by Kate Joyce on Jun 6, 2008
Trent was the photographer at my sisters wedding in 2006 and it was with awful shock that we heard about his tragic death. On the day, he was exceedingly professional yet great fun. He crawled up the aisle to pass tissues to the bridesmaid & fed the nervous bride a banana to calm her down! Another memory is of him lying under the Christmas tree in an effort to get some interesting shots. The pictures from the day are fantastic. Hopefully his family can take some comfort in knowing how many people have great things to say about their son and brother.
Posted by Claire O'Doherty on Jun 6, 2008
I got to know Trent when we shared an apartment in Galway several years ago and then we would run into each other around town, he always snapping away! He was such a lovely, happy character it was always a pleasure to meet him and hear what he was up to and what his next plans were. A truly talented and special person. Deepest sympathies to his family and friends RIP
Posted by Abdalla Ahmed (Chairperson, MEWA Drug Treatment Centre, Mombasa) on Jun 6, 2008
In early December 2007 while fundraising in Ireland, my Irish colleague Denis Dennehy sent me a text saying check the website www.trentkeegan.com, a professional photographer who accepted his invitation to come to Mombasa in April to cover the human stories of SAAS and MEWA beneficiaries. It was with much shock and sadness when Denis informed me that Trent was found dead in Nairobi and with great sympathy from our clients and staff at the centre, who still have fresh memories of the small party that this great gentleman ushered before leaving for Nairobi. While I was touring the old town of Mombasa with Trent, we saw an epileptic woman falling down so Trent just said lets help her, which was enough to know that this is a great man. Words cannot describe how beautiful a person Trent has been in this world but those who have been privileged to brush shoulders with him will know exactly what I mean. The charm he always brought forth will live on and will be an inspiration for others to pass on. You will always be remembered by all those in MEWA Drug Treatment Centre, the staff and the MEWA Board members. Rest in Peace my good Friend. Amen.
Posted by Christine O'Kelly on Jun 6, 2008
Trent, you first came into the lives of my family about 6 years ago. I remember you using our dark room in salthill and me making you b.l.t sandwiches! You shared so many occasions with us, taking photos outside our house for my debs and my 21st! all my friends are shocked that you are gone and everyone has their own little stories about you! the collage of photographs you made me will always be treasured and i will certainly miss your big grin and laugh! i will always remeber you and the amazing light you brought into all our lives. rest in peace big man xxxxxxxxxx